In response to queries, the town council said it had been "monitoring the situation" since last Thursday.

"These bicycle parking racks are constructed to prevent indiscriminate parking of bicycles at our common areas and are not for commercial activity," said a spokesman, adding that oBike had not informed it of plans to use the space. She said that it had contacted oBike to remove the bicycles but had yet to receive a response.

ST understands that Mobike and ofo were not contacted by the town council.

When contacted, oBike general manager Elgin Ee said he was aware of the removal request by the town council.

He said the firm was "working closely" with town councils to ensure its bicycles do not become a nuisance.

"We have a team of people going around to remove improperly parked bikes," he said.

Mr Francis Chu, co-founder of cycling enthusiast group Love Cycling SG, suggested that residents could use messaging apps to inform firms about improperly parked bicycles, so they could respond more quickly.

The Land Transport Authority said it has encouraged the bike-sharing firms to remind users to avoid parking their bikes indiscriminately and it has ongoing plans to expand bike parking facilities for all cyclists.